Thursday, August 22, 2013

Cloaked in Fur and Anthropies, CassaStorm Updates, and Ninja News

Therianthropy is the ability, or curse, that allows humans to transform into animals. There are many examples of it throughout mythology and folklore and it has become the basis of more and more popular culture. Lycanthropy relates specifically to werewolves and is the most common example, particularly in European cultures, which is why I chose to write about it. But if people were given the choice of an animal they could transform into, would wolves be the most common response. Of the myriad of animals, birds, fish and other beasts inhabiting the planet, it would seem that wolves might not be the most popular, if given a choice that is, considering there was such a choice.

If I had to choose, it would be difficult decision. A swan maiden is another mythological form of Therianthropy and would give me a chance to fly. Selkies are seal-type creatures when in water and human when on land, so I could swim effortlessly through the ocean. But if I had to be honest I think I would chose Ailuranthropy, the ability to turn into a cat. And not one of the great cats, but a simple house cat. Especially when I see how many people love their cats, and how well cats are treated. I would love nothing more than sleeping all day in a warm sunshine. Snuggling up to someone when it gets colder and leaping around the house as if I own it. And not to mention being able to understand just what my cat thinks of me. Which animal would you choose to shift into if you had the ability?

As a moonwulf, Daciana never expected to fall in love with a human. Hell, she never imagined that she’d abandon her pack, endanger everyone around her, and break the worst rule possible. But she did.

T.F. Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she's always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.
Find her - Website-Blog,Twitter,Facebook,Pinterest,Goodreads, and Amazon.

Ninja News

Brandon Axis hosting a giveaway in celebration of his latest book, Ashes.

Cherie Colyer’s latest is out – Hold Tight. You can find it anywhere online and add it to Goodreads The first book in the series, Embrace, is now ninety-nine cents for a limited time. Congratulations, Cherie!

Pat Hatt’slatest book is out, Catality - Saving Your Reality.
This is book number eighteen – congratulations, Pat.
To you and your rhyming cat!

Hart Johnson is celebrating the release of the first installment of A Shot in the Light by hosting a blogfest. On September 5, post about her book and your answer to The World Ends HOW!? See her site for details.

Melissa Maygrove is hosting a blogfest September 23-27. Follow Fest is about writers making connections with other writers on other social platforms besides blogging. See her site for details.

Summer Rossis hosting the In Your Pants Blogfest on September 2. Yes, you read that correctly! Visit her site for details.

CassaStorm Updates and News

First, I am happy to say the CassaStorm tour is full – and then some! I have a great mix of guest posts, articles, giveaways, and reviews set, and the lineup of hosts is awesome, including a couple big sites I never thought would host me. (And I’m quite honored to be appearing there!)

In addition, I am teaming up with authorLynn Rush for my first ever Twitter party on September 17 from 8-9:00 EST. Hashtag is #RUSHED and there will be chances to win prizes from both of us.

The week of my release, there will be an awesome prize package offered here for anyone who comments. And anyone who signs up to announce my book release that week (Taking the World by Storm) is eligible for this cool prize package: Cassa mug, Cassa mousepad, $25.00 iTunes gift card, and swag. You can sign up HERE. You have the option of just signing up or asking a unique question to go with your announcement post. (In addition to the questions, the information I send for the announcements will be different.)

Special thanks to my publisher who is doing a large campaign through trade magazines, libraries and bookstores, and science fiction cons.

And a big thanks to all of you for helping me launch one final book into the world!

Just to give you an idea how awesome this journey has been, I want to highlightEllie Garratt’s winning entry into the Cheers Blogfest last December, because it covers some of the cool things that have happened these past few years:

Now, I need to make a video for you guys!! Mini-Alex can host…

Have you picked up Cloaked in Fur? What animal would you become? Picked up the other awesome books? Can you help Take the World by Storm? Can you believe it’s less than four weeks until my last book comes out?!Dear Lord, help me survive this next month…

I would be a platypus. Why? Because no one expects to get murdered by a platypus.

I just realized our collection is going to come out around the same time as CassaStorm. So prepare yourself for brutal, unsportsmanlike competition. Nah, just kidding. As said, we're happy to help promote your book just for fun. Might even do a sci-fi post, since, well, we've never done that.

Taking a dip into blogopshere today as supposed to be on a break (withdrawal symptoms!). Glad I did lots of news here, looks like its going to be a busy few months for you. Will check out the upcoming fests when I return properly but for now I'll answer T F's question. Think I'd have to agree with her and go for cat!

When I was doing research in Harar, Ethiopia, I learned that the local blacksmiths are rumored to turn into hyenas. The hyenas are famous in Harar for wandering the streets at night. People have no problem with this and aren't afraid of them at all. There are also a couple of "hyena men" who feed the animals. It's probably good not to let them get too hungry!As for the blacksmiths, I hung out with one until late into the night and to my disappointment, he never turned into a hyena.

Ha! I'm just hoping to survive today. My mom is coming, my daughter has me crazy busy with swimming and school registration and of course there's work. Sounds like you've got a great plan with your publisher to launch your book. And I heard "the one final book." Sounds like you've decided where to go from here.

Yeah, I don't want to turn into an animal. Nice meeting you T.F. and congrats on your book. Glad Cassastorm tour is going well Alex and I'm definitely going with the Followfest. Congrats to all on today with their latest accomplishments.

Ooh what animal would I choose...I don't know. Dogs always seem pretty happy, so that could be fun, but then they can also be fairly disgusting! Maybe that's why they're so happy? I would also love to try being a horse, just because I would love to be able to run that fast. Those look like some interesting blogfests; going to take a look! Good luck with your CassaStorm tour :)

Awesome you have such a tour lined up indeed, there at your feed. And thanks a ton for the shout. Last one you say? Bah, wait a few years and another 3 will come out at your bay. As well my little you know is set for the 18th to run. That I know for sure, as the month of September posts are done.

Congratulations on the book events! Sounds like Alex will be taking the blogoshere by storm. :) Thank you so fairy much for posting about my blogfest. If I could shapeshift I think I'd want to be a white tiger...LOL

Hey Alex! Congrats on the new book! That's awesome. As I said in one of my posts, when I mentioned people turning into animals....I would stay human. If that was not an option, I guess I would be a one eyed, scabby kitten down at the shelter. Someone would be sure to give me all the medical attention and love I would need. Sickly kittens seem to illicit a great deal of caring from humans...I was going to pick being a veal calf headed for slaughter, or a hen who's outlived her egg laying life...but the same compassion given to the one eyed kitten is not given to the calves or the hens. I will check out some of the blogfests...especially In Your Pants!

As a Sagittarius, my obvious first choice of animal would be a horse. A very close second would be a spider, preferably a tarantula. Spiders are so small, yet do so much for humanity by keeping us from being knee-deep in bugs. There's also the legend that King David's life was once saved by spiders, who quickly wove a spiderweb over the mouth of a cave to protect him from King Saul.

Great video. First time I've seen it:) Congrats on your book finally coming out and so many events lined up to launch it.

The question about shapeshifting into animals made me think of the Sookie Stackhouse series (yeah, the series True Blood is based on). Anyway, one character in there can change into any animal, but he most often chooses a dog. I think that suggests that house pets are the least feared animal. I think I might choose a bird. I've always wanted to fly. I guess my parents named me correctly... hahaha.

Yeah. Like you're not busy enough when you don't have a book coming out. :D We've got your back friend.

T.J., you'd best be careful about becoming a regular cat. Not unless you're a house cat. Unfortunately, many mean people don't like them. Those poor little critters need their nine lives. Fascinating post.

Congrats to Pat. His rhyming ability is amazing and 18 books. Crazy, man.

Great guest post - I'd love to turn into some kind of bird, just to see what it's like to fly! Or an underwater creature because I was never a very strong swimmer. I'm signing up for the book announcement post, Alex!

Cloaked in Fur sounds really interesting. :) I don't know what animal I'd want to be able to morph into. Some kind of bird would be great, I'd love to fly. :)Looking forward to your blog tour! No surprise that your schedule filled up fast. ;)

WOW- that's a lot of Cassa good news! Best of luck with everything that comes along with this last book Alex. Although I am not at all surprised that big sites were willing to host you! You do so much for everyone it's your turn to enjoy some promo success.

Oh - just got hit w/ one of those tiny thought-lightening-bolt things - I could (and will if you don't mind) put a button for Cassa Fire on the sidebar of my blog. A tiny, miniscule drop in you gigantic advertisement :)Loved T.F.s bit about animal changing. I think I'd take an eagle.

You'll have to tell us how it feels after the blog tour is done to have that final book out there. Will you be sad?I would definitely want to turn into something that flies like a hawk or an eagle but house cats do live the dream don't they?

You'll have to tell us how it feels after the blog tour is done to have that final book out there. Will you be sad?I would definitely want to turn into something that flies like a hawk or an eagle but house cats do live the dream don't they?

Yay for your last book coming out soon Alex! Great post and loved the guest speel from T.F Walsh, her book sounds pretty cool. See, I'm probably one of the people who WOULD choose to turn into a wolf. Though I can't say I've given it a whole lot of thought. I just think they're gorgeous animals.

I look forward to featuring "CassaStorm" during the upcoming "What inspires you?" audiomachine collaboration! The second phase kicks off September 15th, so let me know if you have a date preference, Alex!

Wow super exciting your book is coming out so soon! Look at all those blogfests you did! I love your blogfests cuz they're short and easy and fun.And of course if I can help out with a blog post or interview or anything of the like, just shoot me an email. Happy to help! Pretty sure I signed up for something already. I think I'd be an eagle. :)

I would say I would shapeshift into a dolphin but I live in Denver and if I changed here, chances are I'd be landlocked which would suck. There I'd be, stranded on land with no ocean in sight! so maybe an eagle would be better...

About Me

I'm a sci-fi writer on a journey of discovery - books, movies, music, etc.
Founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, I'm the author of Amazon Best Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, & Dragon of the Stars